SimonJack
This is a wonderful, sophisticated British comedy caper that may take two or more viewings for one to fully enjoy. It did me. That's because much of the comedy is subtle or cleverly masked. A simple exchange in unassuming dialog often contains a pointed piece of humor. On a second viewing, some weeks later, I caught some of that, which I didn't remember. So, I watched it once more a few days later and discovered even more subtle gems tucked away in this seemingly simple and straightforward script.Ira Wallach and Peter Ustinov wrote a masterful screenplay for this film. At first sitting, it may seem to be slow to develop. But, therein lies some very smart humor in the signs, news headlines, and other things Ustinov sees after he gets out of prison. He is being released from H.M. Prison Wormwood Scrubs. I don't think this is spilling the beans since the film opens with Ustinov's character finishing the taxes of the warden who is about to release him from jail – or gaol, in British English. (Might not such a tautology be used in this film?)Made at MGM British studios in England, "Hot Millions" has a superb cast of English and American Actors. Ustinov is Marcus Pendleton, aka Caesar Smith. Maggie Smith is Patty Terwilliger who becomes Mrs. Smith. Both are superb in their roles as are Karl Malden and Bob Newhart. Malden plays Carlton Klemper, the CEO of an American firm with operations in London – Ta Can Co (it stands for Tacoma Concrete and Cement Corp.). Newhart is Willard Gnatpole, an assistant head of the company who's in charge of the computer. Robert Morley is delightful in his small part as Caesar Smith, and Cesar Romero is fun in his cameo as a Brazilian customs inspector. Did they need a real-real Cesar to complete the hilarity here? What a hoot the scene is when he makes Klemper pour out a jar of instant coffee that he was "smuggling" into Brazil. Imagine someone taking coffee into Brazil. That's like taking coals to Newcastle. Or, for younger Americans, hot dogs to a ball game.A handful of uncredited characters add more humor. Most notable are some older men in a Gentleman's Club. I won't describe the plot because, for those who haven't seen the film, the unfolding story provides many of the gleeful moments about this comedy gem. But this film has something more than the comedy. It's a nice look at human relationships, friendships and blossoming romance. Especially among shy folks at fist.Others might find it interesting that MGM had a subsidiary studio in England that operated for three decades. MGM-British was established at Denham Film Studios in 1936. It was inactive during World War II but resumed operations in facilities at Borehamwood after the war. Many MGM films set in England were made there. "Hot Millions" was among the last.As a comedy, this film also has the distinction of being one of the earliest movies to have a computer as a main character. The first one that I know of was "Desk Set" in 1957, a comedy with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. The next one was a year before this one. "Billion Dollar Brain" was a crime-thriller with Michael Caine and Karl Malden in 1967."Hot Millions" is a wonderful film for the whole family. Don't mind that younger viewers won't get much of the humor. Then one should watch it again for the things you probably missed. Did he get the 500 plus pounds refund, or was he put on the carpet to defend his return? The only thing that still gnaws at me after flushing out most of the humor here is what happened when the warden sent in his tax return.What a hoot of a film and pure enjoyment in the characters and story. What a delightful ending that catches one off guard. And then a final ending (oxymoron) after that to warm one's heart. I can't resist leaving off without a few samples of humor from this film.Landlady, "So you're a traffic warden now? That's a nice steady job." Patty, "Yeah, I got fired today." Landlady, "What for?" "Well, I haven't the heart to give anyone a ticket. It's wicked trying to park out West. I let them treble park right along the Strand, see." Marcus,"Oh, I couldn't fire you. Patty. You'd starve to death." Patty,"Assets? What are they?" Marcus, "Young female donkeys …ha ha. Oh, Patty. " Caesar Smith, "Moths are my passion since my wife died."Marcus/Caesar, "After all, no greatness is possible without a little intelligent madness, is it?" Carlton, "Ah, you put that beautifully. Let me write that down." Marcus/Caesar, "Well now, give credit where credit is due, sir. I believe it was Hitler who said that, sir." Carlton, "It just goes to show you – there's nothing new under the sun. Nothing changes but man's capability for change." Marcus/Caesar, "Oh, that's lovely too. Who said that?" Carlton, "Napoleon!" Patty, "Oh,it's hot in here. May I take my coat off?" Willard, "Yes! Anything."Carlton, "Yessir! When the time comes, I may even put in a bid for all of England." Marcus/Caesar, "Hadn't you better wait till it's solvent?"Man at card table in the Gentleman's Club, "Is this your first time at the club?" Marcus, "This club, yes! I'm just down from the North."Marcus has been pumping the card players for names of top notch computer experts. The eldest player finally says, "If this keeps up, I shall violate a lifetime principle and play bridge with women."
C.K. Dexter Haven
A good cast is appallingly wasted in this slower than molasses and haphazardly connived comedy. Peter Ustinov tries hard here to bring something to life but the result is a dour bore that misses all the right beats that might have made it watchable. Regardless of the favorable comments here, this film is awful. Badly directed. Badly edited. Badly acted. Badly written. You need to sit through a hundred movies to come across one this bad.The muddled and excruciatingly laggard plot concerns Ustinov conning his way into an American insurance company in order to hack their computer and embezzle millions of pounds. How he does it is beyond lameness and credibility (he just learns his computer skills seemingly overnight by reading some pamphlets, and hoodwinks computer expert Robert Morley into going to South America and stealing his identity).As a side plot, Ustinov romances fellow loner Maggie Smith, who just happens to become his secretary by chance after he gets a flat in her building. She ends up sharing scenes that have sexual undertones with Bob Newhart that go nowhere, while Ustinov goes about grafting the money bit by bit and trying to keep one step ahead of Newhart and Karl Malden. Then he Marries Smith and they fly off to Brazil, which has become the staple finale of almost every British caper comedy since (Nuns on the Run? A Fish Called Wanda?)The surprise twist of an ending is more laughable than everything that came before. By the end I was thinking I must be truly off my rocker to stick out drivel like this. Even a cameo by Cesar Romero didn't help it. One of the most unfunny, poorly paced 'comedies' I've ever seen, and certainly the worst caper. Don't waste your time. If you love this you need to see better films.
jotix100
"Hot Millions" is a delightful comedy that is made even better by the presence of the marvelous cast assembled for it. The movie is a tribute to the genius of Peter Ustinov, who wrote the screen play and appears as the key figure of an enterprising embezzler. The movie, directed by Eric Till, doesn't show signs of having dated as terribly, as some others from that period.At the center of the action is a friendly man, Marcus Pendleton, who, before being released from prison, fixes the income tax forms for the warden, who is amazed of the refund he is owed by the government. Marcus, who is a genius at numbers, sees opportunities where others wouldn't. He starts working for a firm that uses the latest computer for its accounting, but Pendleton is a resourceful man who finds a way to take advantage of the system and establishes different phony accounts in different parts of the continent.Marcus is assigned a secretary, who also happens to have a flat in his building. The inept Patty is seen working as a bus fare taker who manages to make a mess of everything. How she lands a job as a secretary is beyond comprehension, but things are never the same in the office when the creepy Willard Gnatpole decides to go after her, but have no fear, Patty's heart belongs to Marcus, who is an accomplished pianist and she is a flutist and they make beautiful music together.The best thing in the film is Peter Ustinov. He clearly understood how Marcus should be played and runs away with the film. Mr. Ustinov gives an assured account of the embezzler. The excellent Maggie Smith is also at her best with her take on Patty, the kind woman who adores Marcus and who proves to be a genius herself when it comes to investing the money she finds in Marcus' pockets.Karl Malden is perfect as the American in charge of the corporation. Bob Newhart also appears as Gnatpole, the man who desires Patty, but can't get her to reciprocate. The marvelous Robert Morley is seen as Caesar Smith, whose identity Marcus has assumed. Cesar Romero appears also in a cameo role as an airport customs inspector."Hot Millions" will delight everyone looking for a fun time in the company of that unsavory, but charming character, Marcus Pendleton.
